From one friend to another

Riley takes over for Byram as Gaylord girls’ soccer coach

Riley takes over for Byram as Gaylord girls’ soccer coach

GAYLORD - You couldn’t have asked for a smoother transition between coaches.

Because of the recent birth of his first son, Gaylord girls soccer coach Sean Byram decided to step down from his varsity position this spring.

He’ll hand the reigns to junior varsity coach Aaron Riley, a longtime friend has played or coached with Byram seemingly forever.

“We were neighbors growing up,” Riley said. “We played throughout our entire lives through high school. We both played college and when Sean got his position at the high school, he asked me to help. We have made it farther than most in Gaylord and we have the same goal of taking it to the next level by creating a noticeable program.”

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Riley, who has served under Byram as boys and girls junior varsity coach the past three seasons will now have a chance to leave his mark on the varsity team.

“I feel he is the perfect fit to be the next coach at Gaylord,” Byram said. “He has the desire to keep the tradition of excellence I hope I created. We have always carried the same philosophy — to instill a passion for the sport in all of our players.”

He’ll inherit a young team who is slightly on the inexperienced side because of last year’s senior-dominated squad. The Blue Devils had their best season in years in 2006, advancing all the way to the regional final.

“It will be a change because at the junior varsity level, we weren’t really concerned about wins and losses, just about improving as the season goes along. With the program’s success, there is an expectation to succeed. If not, it will be my fault or something within the program’s.”

Riley believes the Blue Devils can continue that success. He’ll be aided by longtime assistant Rob Pray, as well as Byram, who will help with goaltenders and with the defense.

The two are used to working together. They grew up playing together, including four years of high school, where they won a conference championship during their senior year. They played together on a Traverse City select team that made it to the nationals of indoor soccer and took second place in the A-division of the USA Cup.

Both played in college — Byram at Alma and Riley at Aquinas — and both returned to coach at the alma mater.

“When we came, we both set a goal to win a district within four years,” Byram said. “We were able to do that last season.”

Riley, 27, has been at GHS for three years, teaching in the automotive program.

Things shouldn’t be much different on the sideline this season. One friend passed on the program to another and Riley plans on continuing to follow Byram’s blueprint for success.

“The goal is the same as always,” Riley said. “To be very competitive, win the Big North Conference title and move far in the tournament.”